In this article, we will shed some light on what a stainless steel mesh is and how to choose the right kind of alloy for your mesh.
A stainless-steel mesh is essentially a series of interconnected lengths of alloyed steel that is welded in the form of a net or barrier. This type of mesh is known for its high resistance to corrosion and is therefore used in various industries.
Steel in itself does not have the strongest properties, it is the addition of another element or metal that promises its strength and durability. There are innumerable types of stainless steel in the market, the differentiating factor among all of them is the quality of the alloy and the extent of carbon it contains.
For steel to be considered stainless, it should have a range of about 0.03% to greater than 1.00% carbon and a minimum concentration of approximately 11% chromium – it is the mixture of chromium that prevents the iron from corrosion. The layer of chromium not only helps increase resistance against rust but also helps the metal self-heal in the presence of oxygen.
Plain Weave Wire Mesh
A stainless steel mesh may either be welded or woven. The welding method: In this method, the mesh is welded together at every intersection by placing it in a welding machine. It can also be done by hand, but this would take enormous effort and time.
The weaving method: In this method, the threads of stainless steel are woven together at every intersection on a machine.
The main takeaway here is that, while the welding method gives out a permanent connection between the metal threads, the weaving method does not permanently link the threads making it more flexible and pliable to work with.
Evidently, the multitude of use of stainless steel derives from its altered compositions with other metals. The two main types of stainless steel wire mesh are the 316 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel.
Both these grades can be classified under austenitic stainless steels, they have a considerably higher amount of chromium compared to other types of stainless steels, thus, making them highly resistant to corrosion. This type of stainless steel (mainly grade 304) is used extensively in kitchen equipment like cookware and cutlery.
Nickel Alloy Wire Mesh
The simple difference between the two is its composition with other metals. The 316 stainless steel mesh contains 16% chromium, 2% molybdenum, and 10% nickel and the 304 stainless steel mesh contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
The addition of molybdenum in the 316 grade makes it corrosive resistant to chlorides like seawater.
With numerous alloys available in the market it gets hard to choose the right one. The starting point, however, does not change. Begin by pointing out how and where you are going to be using it, that itself solves half the problem.
Once you have that figured out, you can list out what kind of material you will be needed – something that is highly resistant to corrosion or material that has a magnetic property, and so on. If you are still not able to figure this out, then it is highly recommended that you choose an expert in the field, because the material that you select is going to make all the difference.
Choosing the right material with the right strength and properties will help your engineers and technicians to get the best results. Every alloy has its own advantages and disadvantages and it is always beneficial to weigh both out when deciding what you want to go with.
If you want to get more information about the stainless steel wire mesh, please feel free to contact us if you need them.
